Life-saving machine.



T. P. BROWDER.

LIFE SAVNG MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED APR.5,1909.

Patented Mar. 22, 1910.

THOMAS F. BROWDER,

OF GREENFIELD, OHIO.

LIFE-SAVING MACHINE.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS F. BRowDnR, citizen of the United States, residing at Greenfield, in the county of Highland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Saving Machines, of which the following is a speciication.

rThe object of this invention is a simple, durable and eflicient construction of life saving machine designed to provide an escape for persons from a burning building by jumping from the windows or other exits when no other safe means of escape presents itself, and relates particularly to an improved construction of frame for a device or apparatus of this character which will insure a rigidity of the parts when the framework is extended, while when not in use the apparatus may be folded into a compact condition and stored away without taking up much room,

The invention also aims to provide an apparatus of this character which will be strong and yet light.

Vith these and other objects in view as will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain constructions, arrangements and combinations of the parts that I shall hereinafter fully describe and claim.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a life saving machine constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the framework at the joint; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 53H3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 1lis a sectional view through another portion of the frame; and, Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the frame sections on a reduced scale.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the accompanying drawings by the same reference characters.

In its general construction, my improved life saving machine comprises a frame 1, a blanket 2. and hangers 3 forming a yielding connection between the blanket and frame.

Thilo the frame l may be formed in any desired number of sections, I have, in the present instance, shown it as consisting of Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 5,

Patented Mar. 22, 1910.

1909. Serial No. 487,916.

ltwo semi-circular sections preferably constructed of relatively light and strong steel tubing the ends of which are joined together. The hinges a for the two joints comprise members 5 and G each of which is formed with an ear 7, a pintle or pivot pin S passing through each pair of ears. The main or body portions of the members 5 and G are cored to receive the adjacent ends of the sections of the frame 1 which are secured therein in any desired way. One section 5 of each hinge is formed with a socket 9 and the other section is formed with a chamber l0 in which and the adjacent end of the tubing a spring pressed plunger 11 works, the outer end of the plunger being preferably rounded as clearly illustrated in the drawings, and designed to enter the socket 9 to hold the two members of the hinge rigidly connected together with the frame sections in extended relation to each other. A spring 12 engages the plunger 11 and forces it outwardly into operative relation to the socket 9. Each plunger is provided with a linger piece or pin 13 designed to extend out through a slot 14 in the corresponding frame section for engagement by the hand of the operator to draw the plunger back and permit the sections to break joint so that one may be folded upon the other. Preferably each plunger is formed with a guard plate 15 which extends over the slot lfl so as to prevent as far as possible snow, rain or the like from entering the chamber 10 and corroding t-he parts. In order to strengthen the joint, particularly against strains at right angles to the pivotal movement, and also to protect the pivot pin 8, each hinge member is formed at one side with an extension 16, preferably beveled on one edge as indicated at 17, the said extensions contacting with the sides of the opposing hinge members as shown.

The blanket may be formed of canvas, duck, or any stout material, and at its outer edge is provided at intervals with straps 18 designed to engage open hooks 19 that are formed in the opposite sides of eyes 20. These eyes Q0 are formed with openings 21 through which the rods Q2 of the hangers 3 extend, the upper ends of said rods being swung upon the frame sections by loops 23. Each of the rods 22 is encircled below its corresponding eye 20 by an expansion spring Q4 the lower end of which presses upon a nut 25 secured to the lower end of the rod .into the life saving apparatus.

and the upper end of which preferably takes into an opening formed in an apertnred tongue 20 which projects downwardly from the eye 20. By this means, it is evident that the springs 24 will be kept in working order and not have any binding effect upon the parts. lt .is evident also that by the exact construction of parts just described, the blanket 2 may be disconnected at any point from the corresponding hanger by merely det-aching the straps 1S from the hooks 1S).

Preferably the blanket 2 is provided with a pad 27 which may be quilted or cushioned in any desired way and which is preferably provided with a central disk-like portion 2S of contrasting color upon which a persons eyes may be fixed preparatory to jumping The pad QT is of relatively smaller diameter than t-he blanket 2 and is connected thereto at the edges by means of springs 29 whereby the pad will be at all times kept in taut or spread-out condition in readiness for properly receiving a person jumping therein.

ln the practical operation of my improved apparatus, it will be manifest from the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawings, that the firemen or life-savers may grasp the frame l and support the same preferably just off the ground, the springs 24tyielding when the person strikes the blanket and absorbing the shock of the fall etliciently without tossing the person out of the blanket on the rebound, which would obviously tend toward accidents. lhen not in use, by merely retracting the plungers ll, the frame may be broken at the joints and one section folded over upon the other, and the entire device, blanket and pad included, easily carried from place to place, and stored away withont taking up much room, it being noted i hat the swivel or pivotal connection of the hanger rods with the framework assists in this folding operation.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

An apparatus of the character described, comprising a framework, a blanket secured to said framework, the framework being constructed in sections and hinged members connecting said sections together., one of said members being formed with asocket and the other hinged member being formed with a chamber which opens into the adjacent frame section to which it is secured, the frame sect-ion being tubular, as shown, and the chamber being designed to register with said socket, a spring pressed plunger mounted in said chamber and in the adjacent tube, a spring secured in said tube end and bearing against said plunger to project the same, the said tube end being formed with a slot, and a pin or handle connected to said plunger and working in said slot.

In testimony whereof l aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS F. BROVDER.

`Wi tnesses VALTER H. HEAD,

VIRGIL HENRY. 

